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Hyundai Sonata Airbag Issues

17 messages,  Last post on Nov 04, 2010 at 5:16 AM

You are in the Hyundai Sonata Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Car Safety, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 2

#1 of 17 06 Sonata LX V6 - Airbag Problem With Remote Starter by leavemealone

Oct 30, 2006 (5:13 pm)

Ok so I have an aftermarket remote starter. Whenever I use this unit to start the car, my Sonata will give the "Passenger Airbag Off" regardless if I have a passenger next to me or not. I have told Hyundai about this and they tell me that the computer has determined that the person sitting there is in a position where the airbag deploying would not be beneficial in an accident. This may be the case in some situations, but I find this extremely hard to believe that EVERY TIME I use my remote starter, my passenger is in an unsafe position. I have had passengers jump up and down, wiggle around, moved the seat forward/back, incline/decline etc....still no go.
 
If I turn the car off and restart the car with the key, while the passenger is in the car the "passenger airbag off" indicator is unlit specifying that the airbag WILL now deploy.
 
Does anyone have any suggestions? Realistically I could use the remote starter to warm the car up...get into the car and turn the car off and restart with the key every time but that seems like a pain in the a$$.
 
I'm wondering if there is some type of time limit for a passenger to sit on the seat to activate the airbag....kind of similar to the seat belt chime which will go off after 10 minutes.
 
Thanks for the help/ideas/suggestions in advance.

#2 of 17 Reply by cajuncycler

Nov 01, 2006 (4:54 am)

Unfortunately as computerized as todays cars are there is no such thing as a simple plug and play aftermarket electronics anymore. My suggestion is to send information to the company that manufactures your remote start unit and see if they have a fix or can at least research it. It is in their best interest to make their equipment compatible in the vehicles it is installed in, not Hyundai's.

#3 of 17 Re: Reply [cajuncycler] by leavemealone

Nov 01, 2006 (7:05 am)

Replying to: cajuncycler (Nov 01, 2006 4:54 am)
My initial thoughts would be that Hyundai needs to address the problem. When the car is running, however it has been started, it should be the job of the ECU to continuously check if there is someone sitting on the passenger seat. It does this when the car is started via the key....why shouldn't it do it now?
 
In terms of the aftermarket company, I'm not sure how it could possibly be their job to make sure that the car's ECU does its job properly. The job of the unit is to start/stop the car...maintain proper tach....keep a timer of how long car has been running and if over alloted time period stop.
 
Thanks for your thoughts/ideas/suggestions. They are very much appreciated.

#4 of 17 Re: Reply [leavemealone] by pat

Nov 01, 2006 (10:37 am)

Replying to: leavemealone (Nov 01, 2006 7:05 am)
Well, I guess the thing is that the remote starter is clearly doing something to interfere with the ECU. I agree with cajuncycler - it's their problem, not Hyundai's. Hyundai is just going to tell you don't use the aftermarket part.
 
OTOH, the manufacturer of the remote starter wants you and every other Hyundai owner to use its product, so it has to make sure it is indeed usable. And right now it is not usable if you have a passenger in the car, at least not without you have to stop and restart the car. That should concern them and they will look at the problem.
 
Are there other aftermarket remote starters made by different manufacturers? If so, it would be interesting to know if they also do this.
 
(BTW, you don't really want us to leave you alone, do you? )

#5 of 17 Re: 06 Sonata LX V6 - Airbag Problem With Remote Starter [leavemealone] by backy

Nov 01, 2006 (12:44 pm)

Replying to: leavemealone (Oct 30, 2006 5:13 pm)
You could test your time-limit theory by starting the car with the key, then waiting about 10 minutes before an adult climbs into the passenger seat. If the OCS works correctly in that case, it narrows the problem down to something with the remote starter installation.

#6 of 17 Re: 06 Sonata LX V6 - Airbag Problem With Remote Starter [leavemealone] by darvizu

Mar 30, 2007 (6:45 am)

Replying to: leavemealone (Oct 30, 2006 5:13 pm)
I understand your frustration. If you do a google search, you will find numerous complaints that the airbag light goes on and off on Hyundais. I have a 2006 Tuscon, purchased new, and I got the company line about sitting correctly, etc. for the airbag light to stay off. My 102 lb. passenger and others tried it all but they have a history of problems with the airbag sensor. File a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety office. I also did a video with the passenger holding a newspaper showing the light comes on just in case the dealer will not replace the sensor. Good luck.

#7 of 17 Re: 06 Sonata LX V6 - Airbag Problem With Remote Starter [darvizu] by leavemealone

Apr 03, 2007 (9:56 am)

Replying to: darvizu (Mar 30, 2007 6:45 am)
Thanks for the info. I just submitted a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Office.

#8 of 17 Re: 06 Sonata LX V6 - Airbag Problem With Remote Starter [leavemealone] by targettuning

Apr 04, 2007 (5:28 am)

Replying to: leavemealone (Apr 03, 2007 9:56 am)
I am curious, when you filed this complaint with NHTS where did you place the blame? That is if you assigned blame at all. The reason I ask is I tend to agree totally with some others who posted here stating than you should not tinker with the current generation of vehicles that highly integrate all systems including safety through processors that have more "smarts" than the computers used by NASA for the moon shots. What does that mean? It means you cannot start hacking into these systems...cutting and splicing wiring..rerouting and re-placing pins on plugs and the like. The manufacturers of these aftermarket items will swear they are compatible with everything on the automotive market(otherwise who would buy one)but now at least you know better. If there is blame to be placed I hope you started with the remote starter manufacturer followed closely by...you for allowing you car to be played with in this manner then trying to blame Hyundai for the problem!!

#9 of 17 Re: 06 Sonata LX V6 - Airbag Problem With Remote Starter [targettuning] by leavemealone

Apr 04, 2007 (2:10 pm)

Replying to: targettuning (Apr 04, 2007 5:28 am)
I filed the complaint in regards to the airbag sensor not working properly when a passenger enters the car after it has been started. The airbag will not deploy until the car has been shut off and turned on with the person sitting in the passenger's seat.

#10 of 17 Re: 06 Sonata LX V6 - Airbag Problem With Remote Starter [leavemealone] by outforrepair

Oct 31, 2010 (6:39 pm)

Replying to: leavemealone (Apr 04, 2007 2:10 pm)
http://www.lemonauto.com/complaints/hyundai/hyundai_sonata.htm
 
This should make 06 Sonata owners happy...Just bought one...Now it has to go in to get all this crap fixed...Surely, it is definately Hyundai's fault...Otherwise, love this car...

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